Obituaries
Boston University Faculty Members Remembered
Photo courtesy of the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame
Dave Maynard (COM’85)
A retired College of Communication lecturer in mass communication, advertising, and public relations, on February 9, 2012, at 82.
A longtime WBZ radio and television host, Maynard was a familiar presence in the homes and cars of Boston listeners. As a COM lecturer for 17 years, he shared his broadcasting expertise with students eager for their own opportunities on-air.
Maynard was born in Larchmont, N.Y., and graduated from Emerson College.
He began his career in 1952 as a rock ’n’ roll DJ for radio station WHIL and later WORL. In 1965, he broke into television as host of WBZ-TV’s Community Auditions, a local talent show that ran for 21 years.
After a yearlong stint in the midnight-to-5:30 a.m. slot on WBZ radio, Maynard began hosting the morning show in 1980. Maynard in the Morning consistently ranked number one among morning broadcasts during its 11-year run. Boston listeners also considered Maynard their top morning radio personality throughout the 1980s.
Maynard expressed his love of cooking as resident chef for WBZ’s Evening Magazine and as originator of the popular Phantom Gourmet series.
He published three cookbooks using recipes he had gathered from his morning show listeners.
Maynard earned a master’s degree at BU while teaching at the University, from 1977 to 1994.
Throughout his career, he remained dedicated to charity work, raising money for Easter Seals and for muscular dystrophy and eye research. In 1982, he began the Farm Stand telethon, a live farmers market broadcast on WBZ to raise money for Boston Children’s Hospital.
Maynard officially retired from WBZ in 1991, but continued to remain an iconic presence in Boston broadcasting. In 1999, he was named the Massachusetts Broadcaster of the Year and was officially inducted in the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2009. ~Samantha DuBois (CAS’12)
Photo by Linda Haas
John F. O’Connor (MED’57)
Former School of Medicine dean of admissions and a MED professor emeritus of anatomy, pediatrics, and radiology, on March 2, 2012, at 81.
O’Connor graduated from Boston College in 1952 and Boston University School of Medicine in 1957. He trained in pediatrics at Boston City Hospital and completed his radiology residency at what was then called Peter Bent Brigham Hospital.
He served as MED dean of admissions for 21 years and was director of pediatric radiology at Boston University Medical Center and Boston City Hospital. He was chief of the radiology department at Franciscan Hospital for Children from 1965 until his retirement.
O’Connor was a member of numerous medical societies. In a proud professional moment, he was honored by his peers with the Gold Medal from the Society for Pediatric Radiology in 1997.
O’Connor leaves his wife of 55 years, Anne Walsh O’Connor, 6 children, and 15 grandchildren.
Photo by Kalman Zabarsky
Kevin White (Hon.’74)
Former mayor of Boston and former chair of the BU Institute for Political Communication, on January 27, 2012, at 82.
White, who was mayor of Boston during its tumultuous busing crisis, made a lasting impact on the city during his 16-year tenure. His campaign for a “New Boston” revitalized historic landmarks, and he brought modern architecture to the city.
Born in Boston in 1929, White earned a bachelor’s degree from Williams College and graduated from Boston College Law School. He also studied at the Harvard Graduate School of Public Administration, now the John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Before breaking into politics, White practiced law privately and worked as a prosecutor for the Suffolk County district attorney’s office.
But politics was in his family: White’s father, father-in-law, and grandfather had each served as president of the Boston City Council.
White was Massachusetts secretary of state for six years before running for mayor of Boston. He was elected in 1967 and served four consecutive terms, until 1984.
His efforts to attain higher public office were unsuccessful; he lost the 1970 election for governor and was passed over as George McGovern’s vice presidential running mate in 1976.
As mayor, he presided over the city during one of the most violent periods in its history. In 1974, U.S. District Court Judge W. Arthur Garrity, Jr., ordered Boston to desegregate the public schools, prompting racial unrest and protests. White tried unsuccessfully “to defuse the situation,” the Boston Globe said in his obituary, “attending scores of neighborhood meetings while struggling to maintain public order.”
But he was also known for his efforts to revitalize Boston. During his years as mayor, the city saw the development of Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Quincy Market, Copley Place, and Downtown Crossing, as well as scores of new office buildings and hotels.
Dick Flavin, White’s former press secretary, told the Globe, “He wanted to make Boston a world-class city, and he did.”
White established “Little City Halls” throughout Boston, aiming to decentralize the government and provide minorities with greater access to city services.
He also set out to rid the Boston Police Department of corruption, although his own administration later came under federal investigation for corruption. He was never charged.
After deciding not to run for a fifth term, White joined Boston University in 1984 as chair of the Institute for Political Communication.
He continued to teach at the University until 2002. “He was a giant among mayors,” Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino (Hon.’01) told the Globe. White made an indelible mark, he said. “He helped make the city what it is today.” ~SD
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